The new adventures of Brownnova. Helicoil hell… what have I done wrong here?

[brownnova]

Fleet update time!

Well, no further update on the 2CV. I’ve had other priorities and this has retaken a back seat, in no small part due to the fact that it’s back in the garage with 2 other cars meaning I have to move things to work on it. Which is frustrating, as we’re really not far off. My plan is to book some time in next weekend to try and finish it off. Then book it a test.

 The Nova made some progress a few weeks back as seen in my other Nova devoted thread

 

Main progress since last update has been Saab related: 

After several months off the road the shorter drive belt has solved the issue. Meant taking to to the Saab specialist in Wrexham as a special tool was required. Since then I’ve been using it most of all my cars. Mainly to shake it down before any big usage. But tbh I’d forgotten just how much I love it. And it will be taking the place of main daily for now. 

That’s today, on my way to  conference in Llandudno. 

Also found an R-Reg friend in Tesco! 
Not all is perfect in Saab world though, there is a little tin worm… this is just under the boot lid. It’s not structural, but I may need to do something soon. 

A few little areas underneath are looking tired too. I’d love to have the money to have this restored properly. Keep trying the lottery! 

Others?

2CV continues to perform occasional use vehicle very well. 
 

The Pontiac has developed a misfire, I’ve not driven it since. I suspect the coil. Decisions on whether it’s a long term keeper need to be made.  

Here’s my favourite pic of it recently: 

940 has Been a little out of favour since the return of the Saab. But it is so nice it’s hard to ignore it for long. That said I’ve not washed it since it died randomly in the car wash in the summer, so I should probably do that.

MoT soon, then decide again it’s long term future, as I have other things I want to try. It is great at tip runs! 


TF: It’s fun, but I mainly use it for commuting, which is no way to use It. It needs to go, but no one wants to buy it. I may be forced into Facebook marketplace. 

Yugo: No change. It’s very much a stalled project now. 

 

[brownnova]

Had the XC90 just over a month… so how’s it been going? 

Firstly, I honestly think this is the first time I’ve had a car which does everything I need quite so well. It swallows all the family gear with ease, rides well, is comfy and has great road presence. 

Main duties have been my 8 mile commute (which is too short for a big diesel really) and family ferrying.

Of course one big advantage would be In OMGSNOKAOS… 

But it decided to blot its copybook that week, when having used it every day I left it at home to give the Saab a run out one day. The following day I came to the XC and it wouldn’t go, battery was dead. Odd… then when I powered the battery it said alarm triggered. from there every time I locked it using the fob the alarm would go off… and flatten the battery in the process. So as the battery says Volvo on it (could it be original?!?!) I decided to replace the battery, and the alarm module also had to be replaced (TADTS) and then it worked perfectly. 


So first big trip this week, and all the family gubbins for Christmas easily goes in, comfy ride all the way there… 

Not quite a tale of a perfect run however, these two made an appearance on the way home. 

And of course you require a Volvo reader to knock them off again! Arse. 

Something to investigate! Normally if a car goes wrong in the first couple of months it loses its shine and its place on my fleet very quickly. However with this, it’s so ideal for our family needs it’s worth keeping in good shape… 

Who am I and what have I done with the real Brownnova… 

[brownnova]

It fixed itself… 🥳🥳🙌🙌

(For now) 

[brownnova]

Had to move the Nova yesterday as it was blocking the trailer in. But no matter how hard I shoved, it just wouldn’t move, and it was pointing downhill! Enlisting the help of the wife we got a little movement, but still really difficult. Looks like that front wheel has seized on again. Trying to get it back up the slope to its place… impossible. So had to bump it on its starter motor (starting not an option due to stale fuel making it a faff!). I really need to get this moving properly. It’s sat for far too long now. First stop to that plan is getting it inside the garage. So need to buy one of those big tent garage things to store other cars in so I actually have room to work in it, as three cars in a double garage doesn’t leave much room! 

[95 quid Peugeot]

How to obscure a number plate.

1/10   must try harder 😇

 

[brownnova]

Lol

Those first pics were used for something else hence the plate hiding. The second one was just for here. Hence no need. 

[brownnova]

2CV progress… I’ve managed to get an MoT slot with my favoured tester tomorrow, so I better do something to prepare for it…. Oh I know. I’ll fit that roof.

Old one is old, split and rather past it’s best. 

 

New one is a Matt’s soft tops one which @Mrsbrownnovabought for the birthday before last! I’d almost forgotten I had it, until I needed to see fuzz the interior following some water ingress.

Thankfully there are a few good videos online to follow for you first time taking a top off, it’s slightly more complicated than the first time you take her bra off. I used the Mehari Club Cassis one as my guide, it was mostly very helpful. 

Removal was very easy. Everything undid with ease.

Refitting… we’ll one edge of the back brackets appears to have been bent slightly, but even  having bent it back it still wouldn’t quite fit following the video instructions. In the end I took it all off again, ignored the bit on the instructions where it says not to tighten the bolts until it’s all in place, and got it to fit very easily. 

And then the important job… AS Sticker. 

Looking over for the test, one tyre doesn’t look the treadiest… hopefully it’s ok, as I do plan to put 4 new tyres on soon as these are somewhat old… 

[hairnet]

custard tart or lemon puff or lemon meringue?

 

[brownnova]

  On 24/02/2023 at 23:15, hairnet said:

custard tart or lemon puff or lemon meringue?

 

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Definitely more of a lemon meringue myself. 

[brownnova]

Decided not to chance the front tyre, so changed it pre test. 

That’s a lot of arch gap! 

 

Sailed through again. 

[rainagain]

Beautiful 2cv, seeing one always makes me sad. When I was at uni there was an ex racing one sitting outside one of the labs. I asked around and was told it has been there for a few years. I enquired with the building services people if I could have it, they about bit my hand off as they had wanted rid of it for a while. However as I was a filthy electrical student and it was the mechanical facility that owned it they instead sent it to be scrapped rather than let me have it. Stupid department politics. 

[Ian_Fearn]

This seemed like the most obvious place to post this. It ain’t normally my thing but goodness me…… I like….. a lot.

 

[brownnova]

Oooh yeah, that’s looking good…. 
 

But I’m not lowering mine… 😂

[brownnova]

Having replaced the coils last week (as seen in news24) I booked the Pontiac in for test today. Last night I did a bit of prep… I opened the door and the stench of mouse piss hit me. Ah shite. Looks like when I was repairing it in situ a mouse must have got in. But no real chew damage. And no sign of the mouse… I found a half full coke bottle with a coke marinaded mouse inside. I assume it had gone in following its sense of smell and not got out.

Much cleaning followed.

Now smelling OK I took it for test. Todays test was a “I’m expecting it to fail, but I need to know what work it needs” kind of test… but… it passed!

 

Advisories for corrosion were expected, inner arches and one patch on a sill. But everything else was spot on.

To quote my wife: 

“You have to be joking…that car is like a bloody phoenix!”

I’d better book FOTU! 

[hairnet]

Many fivers cough happened that day

[brownnova]

  On 22/04/2023 at 16:23, hairnet said:

Many fivers cough happened that day

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You’re telling me… MoT is up to £50 these days! 

[Bear]

If you ever fancy an ML55... *admires dustbuster*

Though you know it won't be as pretty rust-wise.

[brownnova]

  On 22/04/2023 at 20:36, RichardK said:

If you ever fancy an ML55... *admires dustbuster*

Though you know it won't be as pretty rust-wise.

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I’ve been told by the kids that the DustBuster  is part of the family and not allowed to be sold… but…

I need to start making a list for when this is to be sold eventually.

[Zelandeth]

  On 22/04/2023 at 22:27, brownnova said:

I’ve been told by the kids that the DustBuster  is part of the family and not allowed to be sold… but…

I need to start making a list for when this is to be sold eventually.

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Imagine there's quite a long list of people who have asked to be advised if it does come up for sale.

Heck, I'd be tempted...

[brownnova]

  On 23/04/2023 at 13:59, Zelandeth said:

Imagine there's quite a long list of people who have asked to be advised if it does come up for sale.

Heck, I'd be tempted...

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Yeah, there’s a few on here and a couple not on here who have expressed interest if/when the time comes.

To be honest, I had planned to sell this and the Nova to buy Stinkwheel’s Ami, but couldn’t bring myself to sell the Nova, and the kids banned me from selling this! 

[High Jetter]

Not bought the white one yet?

[Zelandeth]

  On 23/04/2023 at 20:19, brownnova said:

Yeah, there’s a few on here and a couple not on here who have expressed interest if/when the time comes.

To be honest, I had planned to sell this and the Nova to buy Stinkwheel’s Ami, but couldn’t bring myself to sell the Nova, and the kids banned me from selling this! 

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Well make sure I'm on that list too!

Always nice when a well known car stays in the fold when the time comes for it to move on.

[Stinkwheel]

  On 23/04/2023 at 20:19, brownnova said:

Yeah, there’s a few on here and a couple not on here who have expressed interest if/when the time comes.

To be honest, I had planned to sell this and the Nova to buy Stinkwheel’s Ami, but couldn’t bring myself to sell the Nova, and the kids banned me from selling this! 

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Why i liked this im not initially sure, i 'think' it might be because ive also always been an american car licker, but this doesnt even have the V8 i've always considered a necessity. so goodness knows. Im rather glad it passed its MOT though, smiles were smiled.

[brownnova]

  On 24/04/2023 at 12:24, Stinkwheel said:

Why i liked this im not initially sure, i 'think' it might be because ive also always been an american car licker, but this doesnt even have the V8 i've always considered a necessity. so goodness knows. Im rather glad it passed its MOT though, smiles were smiled.

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It’s unusual… that’s one of the reasons I like it. 
 

Used it to go to work in today, forgot a) just how much I enjoy driving the big lazy old thing, and b) just how much attention it gets!

All in all, so glad to have Bonk back on the road again! 

[mk2_craig]

  On 24/04/2023 at 17:32, brownnova said:

It’s unusual… that’s one of the reasons I like it. 
 

Used it to go to work in today, forgot a) just how much I enjoy driving the big lazy old thing, and b) just how much attention it gets!

All in all, so glad to have Bonk back on the road again! 

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Disclaimer: not actually my spot 

[AnnoyingPentium]

  On 27/04/2023 at 15:44, mk2_craig said:

 

Disclaimer: not actually my spot 

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Saw that earlier on today. Clickety link.

[brownnova]

Always good to be spotted. Yellow Rangie belongs to a mate of mine, we arrived together, but got told to park in different places! 

[High Jetter]

A taste issue?

[brownnova]

Nice to be using this a bit again this week. After about six months away a few bits on the to do list: 

- still smells a bit, and the headlining has gone a bit mouldy. So a Damn good clean needed. 
- it doesn’t seem to be getting as warm as it used to. Need to take it on a longer run to determine (it’s been the 8 miles each way to work) but might order a new thermostat in. 
- needs a good service. 
- including the HT leads I have in for it. 
- the back hatch hasn’t miraculously cured itself. It’s stuck shut. 
- I really don’t want to poke the crusty bits on the inner wings too hard… I think I need to start getting some welding quotes, which will determine if it’s within my reach currently or not. 
- I had forgotten how much I bloody love driving this thing, so I need to do that lots and lots more  this year! 
 

 

[brownnova]

Since swapping the 940 for the XC90 the rest of the fleet has seen its usage drop. Why? Well because the XC really does fit every bill. It’s swallows the family with ease, does the long journeys in comfort and can fit the teenager’s bike in! It’s the car for all seasons… well, it will be if I get the air con regassed! It’s also not a bad thing to drive, despite being a modern in my eyes! 

It’s earned it’s keep well this weekend with the tow bar being handy as we purchased a bike transportation device. 

And for marketplace sofabed collection:

A few tidying up jobs are planned this summer, one or two little bits of cosmetic rust, and a couple of bits of interior damage. 

Meanwhile, the Saab’s exhaust made a bid for freedom last weekend, and could be heard scraping away on the lanes near our house as we got home. The mount on the front of the exhaust snapped a few months ago, my rather Heath Robinson arrangement with bits of wire failed needing a more permanent solutions. 

Now what I should have done at this point was shuffle the 2CVs out of the garage and put this over the pit… it would have been much easier.

However… I lay on my back and scrabbled round. Bonus Dalek mat for comfort.

An exhaust clamp was salvaged from stock and then I nipped to the motor factors to try and find a universal exhaust rubber… of course this being the most random motor factor ever I had a choice of exhaust rubbers… Citroen ZX, Austin Allegro, Ford Mondeo or Vauxhall Nova/Carlton…. That was it.  The latter looked most like what I needed (and as I own a Nova I could use if they didn’t fit). The fit was fine, however stretching the rubber mount was a bastard lay on my back at full stretch. But with the aid of a big screwdriver I got it on. Saab will be used for commuting today to test the repair! Well, that and the fact that the XC still has a sofa in the boot as it started raining when we got home and didn’t stop all evening 😂